Tattoo places on the internet where you can download the best tattoo designs and also find information on the most trusted and qualified tattoo places nearest to you. http://www.tattooplaces.net/index.html en-us tattoo, body art neville@nevillepettersson.com 2011 Tattoo Places Tattoo Places Tattoo places throughout the U.S. offer a wide variety of standards and quality. It's a fact that tattoo artists don't have to be certified or have any formal training. This is precisely the reason why finding tattoo places is not an issue to be taken lightly. Tattoos are permanent and therefore the risks for you are extremely high. If you choose a dodgy tattoo place you will live to regret it for the rest of your life. This article will outline exactly how to go about finding the best tattoo design and also a reputable tattooist in your area. Tattoo places on the internet are the first place to start looking when thinking about getting a tattoo. Walking into a tattoo place off the street unprepared is a very bad idea. Choosing the right tattoo takes time and a lot of consideration. Online tattoo places, websites and galleries offer you the chance to browse and compare a wide range of tattoo designs in the comfort of your own home. Many of the top tattoo sites have between 30-60 different categories of tattoos to choose from. The good thing about doing this is that you can see everything that is available in one place. You might even stumble upon a whole new design which is a whole lot better than what you originally intended to get. The only thing you should make sure of is that you go to well respected tattoo places to get your designs. You can usually tell the best tattoo places because they have been around for a long time and also get consistently good reviews. Tattoo places and parlors in the states generally aren't required to be certified in any way to any national body or regulations to do with tattooing. Tattooists are seen as artists and although the tattoo parlor will probably need to be licensed, the tattoo artists themselves are not required to do any formal training or qualifications. This poses a very tricky predicament for anyone looking to choose a good tattooist from the huge amount of tattoo places available. Thank goodness there are some very good tattoo directories which list all of the best tattoo places and more importantly, the tattoo artists themselves. Tattoo artists tend to move around a bit so it's important to know the name of the artist. You can't rely on the reputation of these tattoo places. A quality tattoo parlor is only as good as the tattoo artists working there. The best tattoo places on the internet also integrate social media and discussion forums where tattoo obsessed people can exchange tattoo ideas, tattoo designs and photos of their tattoos in a social environment. These forums list categories of designs such as tribal tattoos, lower back tattoos, armband tattoos and more. You can ask questions and find more designs and information about any specific tattoo you want on these forums and the best thing is that the people are real so you can be sure that the feedback is genuine. A lot of people use these forums to find the best tattoo places in their area or to find a recommended tattoo artist for a given design or type of tattoo. The tattoo places listed on this website are currently the most well respected and HOTTEST places to get your tattoo designs and find tattoo artists. You can usually use the forums on these sites to find tattoo artists which specialise in certain types of tattoos to give you even more assurance, because let’s face it, all we really want to know is that the guy doing it won’t mess it up, right? Read the reviews from the other members carefully and take their advice seriously. Especially the most recent reviews are these are the most valid. http://www.tattooplaces.net/index.html 14 Feb 2011 04:18:09 GMT tattoo, body art neville@nevillepettersson.com Tattoo Websites Info and Directory Simply The Best Tattoo Websites On The Net Tattoo websites on the net where you can browse for and download the hottest tattoo designs and also get info on the most popular and qualified tattooists in your town. The tattoo websites listed here are the most well respected and long standing tattoo websites on the internet. You can pretty much find anything and everything you’re looking for within any of these sites. If you have yet to get your tattoo, then you’ve defintely come to the right place! Tattoo Websites Tattoo websites inside the USA offer you a wide variety of standards and quality. It's a fact that tattooists do not need to become registered or even hold any type of proper training. That is exactly the reason why seeking out tattoo websites is not something to be undertaken lightly. Tattoo designs are permanent and therefore , the possible risks for you are exceedingly huge. If you pick out a bogus tattoo artist you are going to live to be sorry forever. This write-up is going to outline the best way to go about searching out the very best tattoo websites along with a respected tattoo artist close to you.Tattoo websites on the internet tend to be the best places to begin exploring when thinking about choosing a tattoo. Marching into a tattoo studio off the street unprepared is an exceedingly bad idea. Choosing the ultimate tattoo takes time as well as a lot of thinking. Tattoo websites and galleries offer you the chance to view and compare many different tattoo designs in the privacy of your own home. Many of the leading tattoo websites possess somewhere between thirty to sixty distinct categorizations of tattoos you could use. The great thing about doing it this way is that it is easy to look at all the stuff that's available at just one location. You could also find a whole new style which is quite a lot more appealing compared to the design you initially meant to get. The only issue you should really make sure of is that you go to highly regarded tattoo websites to find your flashes. You can usually tell the very best tattoo websites because they have been open for some time and also receive continuously solid reviews.Tattoo websites and studios within the usa commonly aren't expected to become licensed whatsoever to any state body or rules regarding tattooing. Tattooists are generally seen as artists and even though tattoo studio would most likely have to be licensed, the tattooists themselves are not obligated to complete any sort of formal training or certification. This creates a very tricky obstacle for everyone attempting to pick a good tattooist from the large number of tattoo websites around. Thank goodness there are a few top notch tattoo website directories which list the various very best tattoo websites and much more importantly, the tattoo artists themselves. Tattooists tend to move about a lot so you ought to know the name of the tattooist. You can not count on the reputation of these tattoo studios. A good tattoo parlor will only be as good as the tattoo artists working there.The highest quality tattoo websites on the net also combine social websites and discussion forums where tattoo design addicted men and women can exchange tattoo advice, tattoo designs and also photographs of their tattoos within a sociable environment. These discussion boards list kinds of designs like tribal tattoo designs, small of the back tattoo designs, arm band tattoo designs and a lot more. It is possible to you can ask questions to get more designs and information and facts about any specific tattoo design you need on these discussion boards and the best thing is the fact that the people are real so you can guarantee that the feedback is genuine. A great deal of folks use these user discussion forums to find the best tattoo webistes or perhaps to locate a preferred tattooist for a given pattern or type of tattoo. http://www.tattooplaces.net/tattoo-websites.html 19 Feb 2011 01:52:50 GMT tattoo, body art neville@nevillepettersson.com Tattoo Prices Tattoo prices are set in either of two ways; either a set price up-front, or an hourly rate. This brief article is going to go over some of the factors involved in tattoo pricing as well as some general information regarding tattoo prices. In terms of hourly rate you can expect to pay between $80 - $100 an hour depending on where you go. However, you should also know that not all tattoo prices are set at hourly rates. It usually depends on the parlor owner and the relationship or arrangement they have with their artists. You should also be aware that most parlors have a minimum price, usually somewhere around fifty bucks. This is because it's not worth it for them to do the work for any less, even if it's only a five minute job like a dot or a fill-in. For you to be totally informed it's best if you have some background information about tattoo prices. Here's a brief explanation of exactly how tattoo parlors and tattoo artists actually work. Generally, tattoo places work just like hairdressers. The owner of the parlor will do one of either three things when it comes to the tattoo artists under their roof. They'll either rent out space on a monthly basis, pay a set wage, or take a percentage or commission. However they work will have a direct impact on the tattoo prices they will charge you. For example if a parlor has a set wage then you will most likely be given a set rate per hour quote, or for more honest places this information will be publicly visible. If the prices aren't written down anywhere or publicly displayed this should be a warning sign that they'll probably make up a price on the spot depending on how much of a sucker you look. Just like any profession, the really good tattooists cost the most. This is because they're usually very busy and the demand for their time is great. The top guys usually charge a set fee which they will discuss with you first once you explain to them what you want. The pros work like this because they are normally free lancers. You won't find the best guys working for anyone. It's just like hairdressing really, the business owners want the best artists in their premises to bring in the punters and raise their profile. Beware of tattoo sharks and pretenders who will try and charge you a high one-off fee. A lot of the places which don't have standard fees or hourly rates will usually try and extract as much money out of you as they can. You'll usually be able to get the vibe from the person you're dealing with whether they are trying you on or not. You can try to bargain with them if you smell desperation, a lot of these guys are living on the bones of their arses. However, if you get the feeling that they're desperate or unprofessional then it's best to move on elsewhere. Tattoo Prices and Colors It's a common misconception that tattoos which require more colors will cost more. However this isn't true because the colored ink is the same price. The only justification you should accept for a higher quote for colors is when it's likely that the job will take longer because of the color changes and / or design aspects due to colors. Tattoo prices should only increase if the job is going to take longer with more colors. Tattoo Prices Pros and Cons Set tattoo prices are a good choice because you know right away how much it's going to set you back. You can relax more and the tattoo artist can also relax more because they're not under and time pressure and won't feel rushed. However, the downside is that you might have got it done cheaper if you went for the hourly rate job. If the tattoo takes them a lot less time then they originally thought then you could lose out. Conversely, if you agree on a set price and the job ends up taking them a lot longer than they thought, they could end up getting agitated and start to rush or get sloppy. If the tattooist is on an hourly rate or a wage they will be more likely to not worry about the time so much and do a better job. However, you must be advised that the very best tattooists don't work on an hourly rate. The best artists generally prefer to work for themselves, usually at a few different parlors, and charge a set price. http://www.tattooplaces.net/tattoo-prices.html 14 Apr 2011 02:21:30 GMT tattoo, body art neville@nevillepettersson.com What Are Ambigram Tattoos? Ambigram tattoos are stylized lettering, usually done in a calligraphic font, which spell one word or phrase when read one way, and another word or phrase when viewed upside down or from another angle. Symmetrical ambigram tattoos are designs which read the same word right way up and upside down. Asymmetrical ambigram tattoos are designs which read a different word or phrase when viewed upside down. Ambigram Tattoos History A lot of people think that ambigram tattoos are a recent phenomenon, however this is not true. Ambigram lettering was first used purposefully in 1893 by American artist and author Peter Newell in his book 'Topsys & Turvys'. At the end of this book the words 'the end' were actually an asymmetrical ambigram which spelled puzzle when read upside down. There are examples of many later publications which claim to also be the first ambigrams, however there are no earlier records than that of Peter Newell. Designs have changed with fashion, but the principal remains the same. Popular Ambigram Tattoos The popularity of ambigram tattoos over the last few years can be attributed largely to the writer Dan Brown and his popular books 'The Da Vinci Code' and more notably 'Angel and Demons'. The Illuminati, which is the name given to the secret society behind the new world order, is the main fictional group in Dan Brown's books which use ambigrams. The style of the ambigrams used in his books and DVDs is a very old style calligraphy lettering which has become very popular for the use in ambigram tattoos. The most popular ambigram tattoos are one word opposites such as love and hate, angel and devil, life and death and saint and sinner. It is possible to do more than one word ambigrams if you're clever. However, phrases longer than two words are not really suitable as ambigram tattoos due to the limited space on the body. Apart from the usual cliche ambigrams, many people try and use original words which have some kind of specific meaning to themselves like their childrens names, their boyfriend or girlfriend's names or a place name or nickname. As with all sorts of tattoos, it's not advisable to get a tattoo with your boyfriend or girlfriend's name, for obvious reasons. Celebrity Ambigram Tattoos There are a few examples of celebrities with ambigram tattoos. Eva Longoria has a symmetrical ambigram tattoo on the back of her neck which is of the word nine. At the time she had the tattoo done she was married to Tony parker, an NBA baskettball player whose jersey number happens to be the number nine. The lead singer of Apocalyptica, formerly of hard core rock band Fuel, Toryn Green, has ambigram tattoos on his forearms. Toryn has the words angel and saint on opposite arms. When viewed upside down the words read as devil and sinner. According to Toryn these contrasts are representative of a modern day rock star. Method Man has a common life and death tattoo under his forearm. According to Method Man, this is supposed to symbolise that he lives his life one way which is the exact opposite of the way he is going to die. http://www.tattooplaces.net/ambigram-tattoos.html 08 May 2011 13:59:40 GMT tattoo, body art neville@nevillepettersson.com Tattoo Quotes The thing with tattoo quotes is that they have to be personal and original. It's impossible to show you a list of the top tattoo quotes because you will rarely find two the same. What we can do however, is show you a list of the top 5 tattoo quote themes. Top 5 Tattoo Quotes By Theme 1. Children's names 2. Nickname, your own personal nickname 3. Personal motto or slogan 4. Proverb or similar moral based phrase 5. Religious Kids names are popular tattoo quotes because they involve a life changing experience and love. Partner names are not in the top five, not surprising, because most people aren't stupid enough to actually do this. Except of course for, most famously, Angelina Jolie who still sports a 'Billy Bob' tattoo. I'm sure poor old Brad would pay for the laser surgery on that one Angie! Angelina does actually have a tattoo on her left shoulder which are actually a series of numbers representing the GPS coordinates of where her three adopted children were from. Other celebrities with kid name tattoo quotes include David Beckham, who has his sons names on his back, and also Johnny Depp who has a sparrow tattoo for his son Jack, Betty Sue for his mum and Lily-Rose over his heart for his daughter. Tattoo Quotes For Girls Tattoos quotes are totally personal. The thing with tattoo quotes is that it doesn't matter if they look stupid or uncool to other people. If they mean something to you and make you feel something when you see them, then they are right for you. For example, Penelope Cruz has the number 883 tattooed on her ankle. Nobody in the world knows what this means except for her and probably those closest to her. It could be some cryptic trick, but it's more likely something sentimental to her and that's the sign of a good tattoo quote. Something that is everlasting and meaningful. Other celebs with tattoo quotes include Kelly Osbourne with 'I love my mommy' on her back written in french. Lilo has a tat on her lower back which reads 'la bella vita', which translates to 'the beautiful life'. Tattoo Quotes And Sayings When thinking about tattoo quotes try to think about sayings which describe you as a person. Quotes that you are known for or use often yourself are always good options. The worst thing to do is go to tattoo websites or look through a book or brochure for a tattoo quote. If you can't think of one of the top of your head then it won't have any meaning to you. There won't be any story behind it so when people ask you about it, you won't have anything interesting to say. After awhile you'll regret it if it doesn't have meaning. Good Tattoo Quotes The best tattoo quotes can sometimes be actual quotes which have some special meaning to you personally. Actress Megan Fox has the quote 'we will all laugh at gilded butterflies' tattooed on her right shoulder blade. This is a quote from Shakespeare's King Lear and in the context of the play, represents the King looking back on his two daughters who betrayed him and thinking about the life that could have been with his beloved daughter Cordelia. This doesn't mean that this quote means that to Megan. It might have some special meaning to her, we're not sure. Maybe she did King Lear as one of her first performances, who knows? The important thing to remember is that if you choose a tattoo quote which represents a special person, event or feeling for you, you're more likely to make the right decision. http://www.tattooplaces.net/tattoo-quotes.html 09 May 2011 15:17:00 GMT tattoo, body art neville@nevillepettersson.com Tramp Stamp Urban Dictionary Lower Back Tattoo Lower back tattoos are body decorations that have become popular primarily among women since the late 1990s. They are commonly referred as 'tramp stamps' or 'California license plates' in the United States. In Europe they are also known as 'arse antlers', 'arse crowns', 'handlebars' or 'slag tags'. Most of the slang terms describing the lower back tattoos tend to hint at sexual promiscuity of the wearer. Someone with a lower back tattoo might be labeled as a tramp, whore or similar derogatory terms. Some even says that the larger the tattoo on the lower back the more promiscuous the woman is. However, because the lower back tattoos have gained main stream popularity nowadays they are seen not only on prostitutes and exotic dancers but also on diverse variety of different women. Even now when it is clear that there is nothing trampish about this type of body art, there are plenty of people assuming that a woman with a lower back tattoo likes doggy style or anal sex. The Infamous Tramp Stamp And The Women Who Wear Them There are two major theories on the origins of tramp stamps. One states that a true tramp stamp is not only on the back. It could be on a shoulder blade, wrist or some other places. Some say that in the colonial days various people were marked with a tribal type of tattoo to show everyone that they are unfaithful and could not be trusted. Most of the women who received it were called tramps and that is where the term 'tramp stamp' came from. Other source states that it all started with bikers. Women would get their 'California license plates' on their lower back to mark their bodies as the properties of their bikers. It is all history now, the tramp stamps now are just a way of body art. It is very common among celebrities such as Jessica Alba, Britney Spears, Julia Roberts and many more. No wonder these women have influenced many others to follow this trend of fashion. The toy company "Mattel" has even released a Barbie doll with several tattoos, also including a tramp stamp that says 'Ken'. Girls' Back Tattoos And Tramp Stamps Besides popular culture, there are several more attributes that have made the tramp stamps widely popular. First, the lower back area has enough space for a large design and because it is relatively flat, it is quite easy to work on. Also the flat surface makes the image look the same from all angles. The lower back can be both easily hidden in formal situations and just as easily revealed during intimate moments. It is much harder to hide a tattoo on a shoulder or a leg in most formal dresses. Things are much different with casual clothing where fashion tends to favor crop tops, short waist sweaters and low-rise trousers and skirts that are worn low around the hips but even then it's not hard to hide it just by wearing a dress. Other valuable benefit to chose a lower back tattoo is that the skin there is less likely to stretch during pregnancy and other weigh gains and losses. For example, tattoos on stomach and breasts might stretch a lot by weigh changes and aging. Get A More Creative Tramp Stamp Tattoo A lot of women chose their lower back as a place for their tattoo and there are some nice classic images one can get there. Most common are feminine flowers, butterflies, hearts or tribal-looking designs. Some women prefer more rough designs such as barbed wires or dragon images. But these themes have been out there for years and although classic they are not very original. Some like to play with the name 'tramp stamp' and get an image of something slutty with a frame of a stamp around or just go blunt and have the words 'tramp stamp' written on the lower back. Most of people still prefer something personal so it's up to you to chose the design. It can be your favorite cartoon character, a portrait of a philosopher you admire, a line of your favorite poem or a scene from your favorite video game. http://www.tattooplaces.net/tramp-stamp.html 09 Nov 2011 01:48:33 GMT tattoo, body art neville@nevillepettersson.com Best Friend Tattoos Friendship Getting best friend tattoos is a great way how to celebrate your friendship with your best friend. People like to symbolize their friendship in many different ways such as dressing in a similar way, wearing friendship bracelets but getting friendship tattoos with your best friend is a very special way to express your feelings and show the world what you have in common. A lot of people say that every time they look upon their friendship tattoo they recall the pain they have went through together with their best friend in order to get it. This is a very bonding and personal way how to mark your friendship because it is also permanent and communicates that the friendship is strong enough for such decision. There are many things to consider when going for a permanent friendship tattoo with your best friend. Best Friend Tattoos - Matching Tattoo Designs A very important thing to consider is what might happen with the best friend tattoo in the future if, for some reason, the friendship ends. You wouldn't want the tattoo to bring back bad memories. For this reason you might want to chose a tattoo that not only symbolizes your friendship but represents your personality as well. There are three types of friendship tattoos which you might want to consider to get with your best friend. One option is both of you getting identical or almost identical images or text which is meaningful for both of you. It might be a quote you both like, an inner joke - something personal that you both share. Other option is getting a tattoo that is divided in half to show that you complement each other or are whole when together such as halves of a broken heart, a key and a lock and similar. Third option is getting a tattoo to honor and represent your friend - his or her initials, birth date, favorite animal etc. Most Popular Best Friend Tattoos Most popular best friend tattoos throughout ages have been coordinating tattoos and tattoos that represent symbols of friendship. Yin and yang are one of the most famous tattoo symbols not only among lovers but also best friends because they represent opposite characters which both together form balance. Some people choose to get either yin or yang, others like to have matching whole symbol. Other popular idea for best friend tattoos is puzzle pieces. It's advised to look at actual locking puzzle pieces when creating your design. Another idea for a subtle friendship tattoo is the infinity symbol which, of course, represents the eternal friendship. Other, a bit less common option to symbolize eternal friendship is the Celtic knot - a complex infinite loop which also happens to represent the union of two souls. A good idea for a matched or just coordinated best friends tattoo is famous friendship tattoo quotes. You and your best friend could get the full or half of the quote. Ideas For Matching Best Friend Tattoos? A classical approach on friendship tattoos is getting a tattoo with the word 'friendship' either in your language or an exotic one which uses a symbol for a word such as Chinese or Japanese. Just make sure the symbol actually means what you think. Japanese and Chinese characters that stand for 'joy', 'love', 'peace' and other values that are important to friendship are also common among best friend tattoo designs. Flowers that symbolize friendship is also a nice choice when considering best friend tattoo designs. Yellow rose, jade plant and chrysanthemums are flowers that symbolize friendship. For Native Americans, two arrows that cross at the center are used as a symbol of friendship. Claddagh symbol tattoo is a popular friendship tattoo choice in Europe. This Celtic symbol has a very strong meaning - it shows two hands that are about to give a heart away. The heart has a crown on top of it which symbolizes love. http://www.tattooplaces.net/best-friend-tattoos.html 09 Nov 2011 02:20:41 GMT tattoo, body art neville@nevillepettersson.com Lotus Flower Tattoo Meaning Lotus Flower Tattoo Lotus flowers are well known and loved all over the world. There are some interesting facts about them that make them unique among other plants. For example, did you know that the seeds of lotus flowers can last and be good for a very, very long time? Some 1300 year old seeds have been planted and they managed to successfully germinate and blossom. The growth of this flower starts as a small seedling sprouting through mud and muck towards the light. When the young plant reaches the water surface it blossoms into a beautiful flower. This gorgeous flower is the national flower in India and Vietnam. Some people call this plant 'the bean of India' or 'sacred lotus'. Different synonyms of the name 'lotus flower' in various languages have been commonly used to name children in Asia. The image of lotus flower is popular in different art forms including body art - lotus flower tattoos. Lotus Flower Tattoo Meaning Since there are a lot of cultures that find the lotus flower sacred, the meaning of the lotus flower tattoo varies depending on them. For example, in Hinduism lotus flower is a symbol of divinity. Several important gods have been portrayed sitting atop of lotus such as Vishnu and Lakshmi who are usually shown on pink lotus flowers. A popular theme for a tattoo is the goddess of art Sarasvati traditionally sitting atop of a white lotus blossom. In Hinduism lotus flower is a symbol of an expansion of soul and divine beauty so gods also were often portrayed wearing a crown made out of lotus buds. An interesting idea for a lotus flower tattoo would be depicting it according to the Shakta Tantra tradition. This tradition associates each chakra with lotus flower of its own color and different number of petals. For example, Sahasrara as the crown chakra is portrayed as a white or light violet lotus with thousand petals while the heart chakra Anahata is symbolised as a green flower with twelve petals. What Does A Lotus Flower Tattoo Symbolize Hinduism is not the only religion that believed in the sacred nature of the lotus blossom. A lot of people choose to get a lotus flower tattoo because the ancient Egyptians attributed this beautiful flower that grew along the banks of Nile with the god of sun and the rejuvenescent nature of the sun itself. In Egyptian art the lotus is usually depicted as a blue blossom rising from the water at sunrise. Also in Buddhism this plant is featured. The struggling of the lotus through mud towards the sun in Buddhism symbolizes the path of a soul through countless births and rebirths towards the state of the absolute enlightenment - nirvana. The blossom of the lotus flower is a symbol of nirvana, of the moment it is attained. Each petal then represents a different layer of the consciousness. Japanese Lotus Flower Tattoo Designs The lotus flower in Japanese tattoo art is often portrayed together with the koi fish (carp) where lotus flower symbolizes feminine power and the koi fish - masculine. A lot of tattoo places often offer to depict these two symbols together because together they symbolize romantic and passionate love. Since this blossom holds so many meanings there is a huge selection of lotus flower tattoo designs and styles to choose from. The tattoo prices also depend on the size and color of the lotus flower tattoo. You may choose a small black lotus tattoo on your ankle, for example. But maybe you prefer an elegant, vibrant image on your back that shows the lotus emerging from the murkiness and reaching the surface of water to blossom into a beautiful flower. If you are sure you want a lotus flower tattoo it is a good idea to browse through several tattoo websites in search for your favorite design. http://www.tattooplaces.net/lotus-flower-tattoo.html 24 Nov 2011 06:26:52 GMT tattoo, body art neville@nevillepettersson.com Praying Hands Tattoo Cross Praying Hands Tattoo What does the praying hands tattoo mean? Two hands placed together is commonly understood as a symbol of prayer. David Wallechinsky and Irving Wallace had researched the background of this symbol and came to conclusion that its origins might not be of religious nature. They associated the image of hands clasped together with shackled hands of prisoners. Even if handcuffs weren't present, the joined hands still remained as a symbol of obedience and devotion. In feudal times placing ones hands into the hands of the ruling lord was a sign of fidelity and loyalty. Judaism and Christianity adopted this gesture as a symbol of submission to God. This gesture is also found in other cultures. For example, Hindus and Buddhists join their palms together at the heart as a sign of respect and reverence. It is a common, very warm way of namaste greeting. Namaste is a sacred salutation which means 'I greet the divinity within you from the divinity within me'. Praying Hands Tattoos And Tattoo Designs In the Western society praying hands tattoos are often chosen by Christians who firmly believe in God. They desire to express their faith, commitment and devotion to God by marking their bodies with a permanent image of praying hands. Often people choose to get a religious tattoo when they go through hard times in their lives. When looking at such tattoo, the wearer remembers the strength of faith that helped him get through the hardships. Very often praying hands tattoos are reminders of lost loved ones. The gesture itself has a calming effect. Lots of Christians report experiencing soothing sensation when praying with their hands clasped together. It is not only Christians that experience such calming effect. In yoga practice it is believed that bringing the hands together helps to bring both left and right hemispheres of the brain together. Splendid Praying Hands Tattoo Designs The most common praying hands tattoo design is a reproduction of a drawing by a German artist Albrecht Durer. The drawing "The Praying Hands" was made in 1508 and it depicts a pair of wizened but graceful hands lightly pressed together and pointing to heavens. It has a very touching and sad story behind it. The family of Albrecht Durer couldn't afford to support art studies. Both him and his brother wanted to study art in Nuremburg. They decided to flip a coin and the winner would study while the other would work in mines to sponsor the art studies. Albrecht studied for four years and wanted to finance his brother so his brother would also pursue his dream and study art. His brother said he cannot go for his hands had been damaged too hard from the work in mines for him to paint. This broke Albrechts heart. He payed homage to these hands by creating a drawing of them. Praying Hands Tattoo Pictures Gallery Although the Durers drawing is the most classical praying hands tattoo image, it is not the only one. Various tattoo websites and tattoo places offer different praying hands tattoo designs. For example, one might want to have a praying hands tattoo which depicts feminine hands. Others might want the hands look extremely slender, maybe even skeletal. Sometimes people like to elaborate other images in the praying hands tattoo. Rosary beads is one of the most common themes for a Catholic praying hands tattoo. Crosses, roses, Bible, small photos are often depicted together with praying hands. Sometimes the hands are holding a candle or a book or they might be even wrapped in barbed wire or rope. If it's a memorial tattoo, the name and date of the departed soul might be a part of the praying hands tattoo. Whatever you go for, remember to find a good tattooist since human hands are quite difficult to draw. http://www.tattooplaces.net/praying-hands-tattoo.html 06 Dec 2011 04:00:10 GMT tattoo, body art neville@nevillepettersson.com